Shopping Day in India
February 1, 2008 email #24
There is no rest for the weary at Prakash when you are on a Missions Trip.  We had Bob and Demme up-and-at-’em by 8 am on Thursday. After breakfast we had a long leisurely tour of the entire campus and all the classes.  It is always entertaining to see the students in the classroom or doing practical work.  For some reason the students were particularly serious, but then we found out it was exam day. While touring Bob realized that the goalposts for the soccer games were not positioned correctly, so that caused a mild panic.  All afternoon was spent correcting the error. Bob was a national soccer referee and a certified instructor.  He brought his uniform, and even his TWO whistles so he was ready for the Sports Day games. 
Later in the day as they unpacked all the things they had brought for Prakash I couldn’t understand why there was such an abundance of foodstuff.  Bob brought all kinds of goodies with him, because he was SURE he didn’t like Indian food and he would lose 10 pounds while being here---WRONG!!!  Demme said she has tried and tried to get him to take here to an Indian restaurant, with no luck.  He has fallen in love with the food and the people.

Demme and I had a nice long session of Q and A with the girls.  She had brought cute small bag full of samples of Mary Kay for each girl.  Talk about excited---they were in heaven.  It will be so cute to see them Sunday with lipstick on. Having someone re-enforce the principles you have been trying to teach is such a blessing.  Without any prompting from me, she was really on the same page.  Among other questions she asked, “ What do you liked best about RGI?” Again the answer was discipline and Starting Point.  When she asked, “What is it about Starting Point that you like so much?” Instantly, everyone began to answer.  “When we try to read the whole Bible is becomes confusing, but Starting Point is so simple and easy to understand.  Also, when someone tries to argue with us about the Bible we now know how to defend our faith.” WOW!!! It makes my heart glad. 

Thanks again and again to North Point Church for sponsoring this program for us.
We are starting to translate the second edition of Starting Point so we will have a two-year program.

There was shopping to do for prizes for the “Lucky Draw.”
(Not necessarily what I would call it, but they don’t understand the terminology “Raffle Drawing.") So off to Itwari, our favorite place to shop, to purchase gifts for RGI’s Women’s Valentine Party and tee shirts for the soccer teams for PBI’s Sport Day.  Now Itwari is a true Indian experience for Bob and Demme.  See in the photo how little Demme is.  She would have gotten lost in the crowd if Loren had not protected her.  Bob is so social that he had to stop and talk to everyone, especially the little girls on bikes who wanted to try out their English.  The fact is, this was not even a crowed time of day, but was still overwhelming.  We had a really good laugh when friendly Bob began talking to a little boy and the boy asked in perfect English, “What is your name?” Bob answered, “Bob Pluta.” Everyone around burst out laughing---puta in Marathi is fanny!  So he decided he is just plain BOB.

Tomorrow is the big day, so there will be more to tell.

http://www.prakash4india.org
Sylvia H. Eckhardt
Prakash for India